West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-11-18

is as willing 10 die as / am. 1t is not for
their sake that make this offer but in
the name of humanity and in the inter-
est of a peaceable development of the So
cial forces that are destined to lift up our
race to higher plane of civilization, L
beg YOU to prevent a seven-fold murder
of men whose only crime is that they
are Idealists; whose only crime is that
they yearn for better future for man.
kind, If there needs be legal murder
let my life suffice.
This letter is given as it illus
trates the feeling that seems to have
animated these misguided men.
LINGG's SUICIDE.
The prisoners were closely guaro-
ed in the Chicago Jail, but by some
unknown means Lingg procured a
small dynamite bomb, about as large
as a pecan nut. On the morning of
the 10th he placed it in his mouth
and lighted the fuse. He appeared
so calm and self-possessed that the
guard thought he was lighting ci-
gar. 1t exploded with terrific force,
tearing off the entire lower half OF
his face and making great hole in
the roof of his mouth, causing death
almost Immediately.
Before the excitement produced by
this suicide had quieted down, the
Governor published his decision to
commute the sentences of Schwab
and Fielden to Imprisonment for life.
During the 10th the condemned men
were brought from their cells to the
jail library to bid farewell to their
relations. Engel was received by
his daughter, who clung to him in
paroxysm of grief Then Spies
mother fell into his arms. Miss Van
Zandt came next and passed full
half.hour with her husband. The
scenes of suffering unnerved the
jailors and guards. The women
cried in such agony they were heard
outside of the building: the men
were tender, but unnerved and firm.
Spies and some of the others de-
clined the offices of clergyman and
all of them passed the fight without
exhibiting the slightest tripidation.
Parsons entertained his guard by
singing Annie Laurie" and after
wards slept as soundly as an infant.
All of them slept for several hours
as though the coming day had no
dangers for them. Engel was the
first TO awake at Is tot. Within
ten minutes the others did so.
Fischer was the first to emerge from
his cell. Accompanied by two dep
uties he took good wash. His ev-
cry movement was closely watched.
Spies next performed his ablutions
and seemed to enjoy them. Old
man Engel followed the young an
archist, and the last to wash was
Parsons. A little incident occurred
when Parsons stepped out to wash
himself All the other anarchists
contented themselves with washing
at the tap, but when Parsons walk
ed up to the sink he exclaimed: Il
see no wash basin here. | am ac-
customed to washing in basin and
| want one now" His manner was
extremely defiant, but though he re-
iterated his request for the basin in
gruff tones, he did not get the de
sired utensil. He, by far, exhibited
the most bravado of any of the an
archists.
At 1920 breakfast was brought
from restaurant and all the pris
oners eat heartily. Spies then ask
ed for writing materials and busted
himself writing. The jailor took
what he sealed up, and the by-stand-
ers conjectured, it was his farewell
to Miss Van Zandt. Parsons and
Fischer also occupied themselves
writing and gave sealed letters to
the jailor. Engel sat stolidly in his
cell wrapped in his own thought
At $50 the ply sician asked each of
the prisoners if they wished for
stimulants, and all except Engel de-
clined. Engel asked for some port
wine. 1t was given him at once,
and he gulped down three large
glasses. Spies requested water, and
seemingly consumed by burning
thirst, swallowed nearly two tum-
blers of it.
THE PRISONERS DEATH SONG.
At 10 o'clock Parsons, Fischer
and Spies asked for twenty minutes
each on the gallows in which to make
speeches.
Fischer began singing the Mar
seillaise, in which the other prison
ers joining. The voice of Fischer
seemed round and full, but quiver-
ing just a triie. The reporters
pressed close about the door of the
cage and listened till the deep tones
died away in silence. The song
lasted two minutes.
THE GALLONS.
Between 10 and ii the tickets
were distributed to admit about 25O
newspaper men, local politicians and
the Jurors to view the bodies after
the hanging. The scaffold was in
side the Jail. At 11.l2 the con
demned men ate their last lunch,
and at 11.23 the sheriff commenced
reading the death warrants.